Released in 1985 by British developer Elite Systems for the ZX Spectrum and Commodore C64/128/MAX, Roller Coaster is a platform game blending strategy and puzzle elements within an amusement park setting. It holds a notable place in gaming history as the first video game to simulate amusement park rides. The game takes place after closing time at a fairground, where the player controls the park's owner, Colonel G. Bogey. A disgruntled employee has scattered the park's takings across the grounds in the form of money bags, and the objective is to recover them all. Navigating the fairground environment requires both platforming skill and strategic thinking as players work through the ride-filled landscape. Upon release, Roller Coaster received overwhelmingly positive reviews and became one of the most popular titles available on the ZX Spectrum during its time.
